The fall and rise of brave Del Potro: The Tower stands tall at last to swat aside Ferrer

The match was less than two minutes old and Juan Martin Del Potro found himself lying on the Centre Court turf just below the Royal Box, as motionless as a rugby player awaiting the arrival of a stretcher.

His principal worry was having to retire from his first Wimbledon quarter-final without even a game on the board. He had arrived on court with heavy strapping on his left knee after a slip here last week. He fell again. Not just any old fall but a spectacular arms-and-legs-flailing dive, with pike.

Through: Juan Martin Del Potro beat David Ferrer on Centre Court to move into the semi-finals

‘Like a footballer,’ he said, smiling,
no doubt thinking about one of his Boca Juniors favourites. But he lay
there like the rugby player his father, Daniel, used to be. No rolling
about in fake agony. The pain was real.

‘I was close to retiring,’ he said. ‘I
was worried because it felt just like what happened five days ago. The
doctor said they can’t do any more with my knee. I had the tape, a very
tight tape, and that help me to move a little bit, but nothing more.’

There was something more, however. The
doctor, who had been summoned to join the physiotherapist and
officials, prescribed nothing more complicated than two paracetamol
tablets.

‘The doctor gave me some magic pills,’ a delighted Del Potro said two hours later.

The Tower of Tandil, as he is known,
collapsed a second time as he fell to the ground at the moment of
victory and lay on his back in ecstasy at a remarkable victory over
David Ferrer, whose dogged determination proved insufficient against Del
Potro’s power and bravery. Little wonder he went through the card of
celebration — arms aloft, kisses to the crowd, glances to the heavens,
the sign of the cross and the usual discarding of equipment to grabbing
spectators.

There was, too, the warmest of hugs with Ferrer, a large and little embrace, at the net.

On form: Del Potro produced a dominant display to advance to the semi-finals on Friday

Business end: The Argentine triumphed in straight sets on Wednesday to seal his spot in the last four

Respect: Del Potro and Ferrer embrace at the net after the match

Del Potro, 24, had resumed gingerly,
as you would have expected, after a break of seven minutes. It took a
while but, even before the first set had been settled, he acquired the
sufficient movement to accompany his big serving and trademark hammer
forehand.

Ferrer, one of the best returners in
tennis, could not cope with the Del Potro serve. The Spaniard, who has
just moved up to No 3 in the world after reaching the French Open final,
managed just one break point and a single deuce in Del Potro’s 15
service games.

Few can cope with the forehand that
was so prominent in Del Potro’s 2009 US Open success. Tennis has been
waiting for The Tower to train on, to stay free from injury long enough
for him to join the elite.

To go further at Wimbledon, Del Potro
and his busted knee have to overcome Novak Djokovic, the best in the
world but someone he beat for a bronze medal at the Olympics on this
very grass. ‘I will need to be 100 per cent or 110 per cent against
him,’ said Del Potro.

Stretch too far: Ferrer was outclassed by the big-hitting Argentine in their quarter-final clash

Down...: Del Potro fell awkwardly at the back of the court in the first game of the match

...but not out: The Argentine required treatment but carried on against Ferrer

‘He’s a former champion here. It’s
going to be a more difficult match for me than today. I remember the
match during the Olympics but this time the pressure is different.

I will try to do my best. I’m not
going to put my body at risk. The doctors tell me, with this tape and
taking some anti-inflammatories, you can play. If they say something
different, I will think.

‘The doctors are taking care of me.
I’m safe. I think I will feel like I felt four days ago after my
third‑round match. I need to be strong to manage the pains.’

Del Potro proved he was strong and could handle the pain. It is doubtful he will be able to handle Djokovic.

Pleased to meet you: Roy Hodgson and Sir Alex Ferguson shake hands in the Royal Box